"These investments will ensure that we continue on the path to economic recovery by laying the foundation for long-term growth," said Governor Patrick. "By investing in education, infrastructure and innovation we are creating jobs and building a better and brighter Commonwealth for the next generation."

The Capital Investment Plan seeks to reverse decades of underinvestment, create jobs and improve the Commonwealth's economic future by supporting public assets -- classrooms and academic buildings, roads and bridges, and public housing. The plan also invests in the Commonwealth's innovation industries to create thousands of jobs and set the stage for future economic growth.

"As we continue to support the Commonwealth's long-term economic growth and sustainability, our Administration is committed to making strategic investments that will yield positive results now and in the future," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "The projects in the Capital Plan will help improve the state's infrastructure and continue to create significant new jobs in regions across the state."

"This updated five-year Capital Investment Plan continues the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to rebuilding our public infrastructure and making targeted investments to support economic growth," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez. "Our ability to make these critical investments is a function of our fiscally responsible finance plan and the low-cost financing available to us thanks to the Commonwealth having its highest-ever credit ratings under the Patrick-Murray Administration."

The FY13-17 Capital Investment Plan continues to make investments in the Commonwealth public housing portfolio. In addition to the Commonwealth's yearly $170 million investment in housing, the plan will provide a $10 million expansion for housing funding to support:

A $3 million investment in the Commonwealth's Public Housing Energy and Water Savings Initiatives;A $2 million investment to repair an additional 150-200 vacant public housing units in order for them to be brought back online and occupied;A $3 million increase in funding for the Housing Stabilization Fund to create and/or preserve an additional 150 units of housing for veterans, homeless families, the elderly and other family households with incomes ranging from 30 percent to 80 percent of area median;A $2 million investment in the Housing Innovations Fund to create an additional 80 units of housing for special needs populations.The FY13-17 Capital Investment Plan makes strategic investments in the Commonwealth's long-neglected transportation system. Projects include:

The purchase of and improvements to rail tracks along the Framingham/Worcester line, to allow greater opportunities for MassDOT to improve and increase service between Boston and Worcester;$51 million in FY13 funding for MassDOT to continue work already underway on the Green Line extension in Somerville;$5.4 million in FY13 for the Springfield Union Station Parking Garage, featuring the construction of a 480-space parking garage used in conjunction with the proposed development of the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, a $45 million project with multiple funding sources;$200 million for Chapter 90 municipal road and bridge projects, an $80 million increase over the annual funding level when Governor Patrick took office. The FY13-17 Capital Investment Plan continues the Administration's investments in the Commonwealth's communities. Highlights include:

$41.8 million in grants to support eight new library construction projects through an expansion to the Public Library Construction Program;$3 million in capital funding over two years for reforestation efforts after the longhorn beetle infestation for Worcester and surrounding communities;$1 million to assist vocational schools in purchasing modern laboratory and shop equipment.The energy and environment investments made in the FY13-17 Capital Plan focus on the Administration's goal of reducing our environmental impact in a responsible manner. Highlights include:

$1.75 million for a four-year initiative to revitalize Heritage Parks, primarily located in urban areas, that provide exhibits and historic information with an emphasis on the industrial history of the communities in which they are located;A $1.25 million investment in the nationally recognized river and wetland restoration program for the Department of Fish and Game expected to leverage an additional $5 million in federal and private funds and create over 75 jobs per year.To ensure continued advancement in our innovation economy, the FY13-17 Capital Investment Plan will make the following investments:

$55 million in Governor Patrick's Life Sciences Initiative capital program, an $11.5 million increase over FY12, to provide funding for at least 12 projects including the construction of the Sherman Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School -- Worcester, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's Biomanufacturing facility, and the Joslin Diabetes Center and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute;$14.6 million to continue IT projects that will implement health care cost containment and child welfare information initiatives including converting to the federally mandated ICD-10 diagnostic coding system, implementing a new eligibility determination system, completing the federally mandated analysis for the Medicaid Information Architecture and replacing the existing FamilyNet child welfare system. The FY13-17 Capital Plan continues the Administration's efforts to create an affordable, accessible public higher education system. Last week, the Patrick-Murray Administration announced new investments at a number of public colleges and universities, including $607 million for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) system and $298 million over five years for the Commonwealth's community colleges. Highlights include:

A new Physical Science building at UMass Amherst, currently estimated at $85 million, that will accommodate enrollment growth and higher demand in science programs;A new Management Building for the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell which leverages approximately $10 million in private donations to support the $35 million project;A new academic classroom building at UMass Boston, estimated at $100 million to help address the demands of continued enrollment growth at the university;$21.1 million for Berkshire Community College for renovation, including exterior masonry repairs, of the Hawthorne and Melville Halls;$37.9 million for Mount Wachusett Community College for modernization to the Haley Academic Center and the addition of a wet lab;$6.8 million for Springfield Technical Community College for major building repairs and other renovations to the main classroom and student activity building;$22 million for Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) to construct a new Allied Health academic building and to explore opportunities for a Framingham campus.